Electric sign.



F. SGHAEFER ELECTRIC SIGN.

APPLIGAT'IQN FILED N0v.11.`1911.

1,069,582, .Patented Aug@ 1913.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. I8 l V wrrmssszs E'. SCHAEFBR.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 11, 1911.

1,069,582- Patented Aug. 5, i913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET a. v

WTNESSES NVENTOR face of the display device, ,while when the solcnoids 153 are atuated the cores are moved in 'ardly to the position shown in the second from the top solenoid in Fig. 2 to expose the other `face of the display device. Since cach solenoid of the group of solencids coniposinfr the unit'is capable of separate en ergization it is possible to expose the visible or display faces ot' any desired combi; nation of display devices, as, for instance, in Fig'. l where the letter F is represented, or as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, where various other letters are represented. As illustrated in Fig. 2, each core l5 is reduced at each end and moves loosely in the bobbin 14 of its solenoid, so that it can slide easily endwise and also tilt sidewise, thus compensating for the movement of the end of its extension in the arc of a circle around the pivot of the display member.- In other words, as each core moves endwise, the angular' relation ot its axis varies with relation to the axis of its core.'

Figs. 3 and 4l show a niodilication where.- in the display devices llflconiprises adisplay face 24 and blank face 25 arranged at an acute angle to each other and also pivotally or rotatably mounted, in Fig. l and con- .nectcd to the solenoid core 15, as clearly shown, by a pin and slot connection 26a. The operation of this torni is identical with the forni shown in l and 2. l

The display .faces ot' the several display devices or shutters can be of any suitable color, and the surrounding frame part of the sign is preferably of the color o'l the blank faces.A For instance, in Fig. 5 the unit A has the frame and blank faces black, while the display faces are white, while in the unit il the reverse is the case, and in the unit (I the tramo and blank faces are white and the displayt'accs are of dierent color. `The number ot display devices can ot course. be increased to any desired number. F 5 represents each unit composed of 3() shutvters or displaf devices, by different combinations of w iich every letter of the alphabet-can be represented. Fig. G shows the unit composed of a very much larger number of display devices, 252 in all.

Various arrangements of wiring system and circuit closers can be used for actuating the desired roup of magnets in eacl1 unit in order to vt isplay or spell out the desired symbol, word or' message. The circuits of the several magnets may be closeddu the 'proper .order or sequence entirely automatically, such from a motor driven rotary drum haring thereon the necessary projections for closing the various circuits in the proper groa'p relations.

Fig. 7 represents a simple arransementot circuits and hand-actuated circuit Cdosers for securing the desired result. ln this diagram only three units are shown and only :four 'of the double magnets, towit, four setting magnets 12 -and -four re-setting magnets 13, but the principle, applies to any number of such magnets. 30 represents a suitable roup circuit closer which may he actuated in any suitable way, such, for instance, as from a key board like a. typewriter key hoard and so arranged as to close the desired group of circuits to each of the units. 3l, 31 and 31E represent selective switches, one for each of the units.

32 is thc re-setting switch and 33 a suit-A able source et' electric energy. When the selec-tive switch 31 is closed, the closing of group switch 30 closes the circuit from the battery through the setting magnets. l2 of unit A, and by properly closing selective switch 3la and 31h the closing of .group switch 30 directs'the current through the setting magnets l2 of units B and C respectively. Tiere is, therefore, one selective switch for each unit, and there must be as l many group switches 30 as the letters or symbols to be displayed on each of the units. ily closing the proper selective switch and the proper group switch the desired letter or symbol is shown on. the-desired unit. llhen re-setting switch 82 is closed the current from battery-33 is directed through the re-setting coils 13 of each of thefn'iagnets. A' single ire-setting switch for the entire series of units issulhcient.

, Fig. 8 represents a further development ol" over a circularly arranged series ot contacts 37 each of which is connected to one ot' l the units of the sign. '.lhis arm is adapted to be rotated clockwise by means of 'atchet wheel. 38 and pawl 39, the latter being actuated from armature et@ of magnet 4l in the circuit with battery 33, but which magnet is energized by actuation of each group switch '50s As shown, this is eilected by providing the group switch 30 with aV Contact projection 42 arranged to contact. a yielding arm 43 connected to one terminal 01"' magiiet -l1 so that whenever group switch 30a is actuated to close the circuit to a certain group of magnets, say in unit A, the magnet Ltl is energized slightly in advance of closing the group Vcircuits to step the selective switch 36 one step `forward to connect the desired unit switch v. shown comprises anarinl arranged to travel projecting forwardly from said front plate, sonnected io a display member; and each and display devices pvotally supported be tween and by said side flanges :md arranged for actuation by said cores.

5 6. An electric sign o: 'display u nt com- .prlsing a frame, a plurality of double soleiiolds m'said frame, a core loosely movable in each of said double solenoids, a rotatable display member mouned 0n said frame ad- 10'l jacent to each double solenoid, each of said cores havingv a rigid extension 'pivotally core being reduced a its curls, whereby in moving endwlse m, lts solenold-the coxe may tllt with relalon to 'Lleaxs of the solenold. 15

In iestzmony' whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FREDERC SCHAEFER. 1W 'nesses:

F. EV. Vmmn, MARY E, UAHOON, 

